Parade.com article on good and bad sports parenting. Here are some tips from the article on how to be a good sports parent:

• Encourage your child, regardless of his or her degree of success or level of skill.

• Ensure a balance in your student athlete?s life, encouraging participation in multiple sports and activities while placing academics first.

• Emphasize enjoyment, development of skills and team play as the cornerstones of your child?s early sports experiences while reserving serious competition for the varsity level.

• Leave coaching to coaches and avoid placing too much pressure on your youngster about playing time and performance.

• Be realistic about your child?s future in sports, recognizing that only a select few earn a college scholarship, compete in the Olympics or sign a professional contract.

• Be there when your child looks to the sidelines for a positive role model.

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